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Serrano-Martínez ME, Alcántara GB, Enciso M, Mori FH, Albornoz LL, de Haan S, Juárez H, Tejeda SA, Camero CC, Burga-Cisterna C. Epidemiology of sarcoptic mange in free-ranging vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna): a cross-sectional study in Andean highland communities in Peru. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2024; 33:e020523. [PMID: 38985054 PMCID: PMC11253819 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612024030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange or scabies is a contagious parasitic skin disease that affects a wide range of domestic and wildlife species. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence, molecular identification, and characteristics of sarcoptic mange in vicuñas. A total of 3,274 vicuñas were examined. Following ritual harvesting events ("chaccus") in 13 Andean communities. The presence of mange mites was determined by the skin scraping technique and confirmed by PCR analysis using specific primers for the ITS2 gene of Sarcoptes scabiei. The presence of mange mites was also confirmed by microscopy using samples taken from wallows. A data collection form was used to register the characteristics of the vicuñas sampled. The prevalence of sarcoptic mange was 4.9% (95% CI: 4.1 - 5.6%). All samples from wallows tested positive (9/9). Importantly, the presence of the species S. scabiei was molecularly confirmed. Adult females with regular body condition were more susceptible to sarcoptic mange, although the lesions were mild. This study confirms the presence of S. scabiei in semi-captive vicuñas and points to the possible role of wallows in the dissemination of Sarcoptes mites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marco Enciso
- Ministerio de Desarrollo Agrario y Riego – MIDAGRI, Lima, Peru
| | - Fahrid Huanca Mori
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Luis Llanco Albornoz
- Escuela Profesional de Medicina Humana, Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista – UPSJB, Chincha, Peru
| | - Stef de Haan
- Centro Internacional de la Papa – CIP, Lima, Peru
| | - Henry Juárez
- Centro Internacional de la Papa – CIP, Lima, Peru
| | - Sthefany Aguilar Tejeda
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Cristofer Cruz Camero
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Cesar Burga-Cisterna
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
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Wu Q, Chen L, Zhang Q, Jin X, Tang L, Zhang X, Liu Y, Li J, Pei J, Zhu Q, Jin S, Zhao Q, Shen J, Zhao Z, Jin Y, He H, Gu X, Yang M. Sarcoptic mange is an emerging threat to biodiversity in the Qinling Mountains in China. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:3724-3736. [PMID: 36251176 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange, a disease caused by the burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei, is globally endemic and an emerging threat to wildlife. Although many studies have shown that wildlife diseases play key roles in biodiversity conservation, knowledge about sarcoptic mange is still insufficient. In this study, we aim to improve the understanding of the impacts of sarcoptic mange on wildlife populations, the mechanisms involved in its eco-epidemiology and the associated risks to public and ecosystem health by investigating mass death events in gorals and serows in the Qinling Mountains. We conducted interviews with practitioners and local people in the central Qinling Mountains. From the same locations, we collected 24 cutaneous samples from various animals and surveillance data from infrared cameras. Pathological, parasitological and microbiological examinations of the samples were performed. Mite-induced cutaneous lesions, mites and eggs were observed in samples from dead gorals and one dead serow but not in other species. Molecular analysis confirmed the mites to be S. scabiei and shared the same cox 1 genotype. The data obtained from the interviews and infrared cameras indicated that the death of wildlife was related to sarcoptic mange infection and that there had been a decrease in the goral population since the outbreak of the disease. We confirmed that sarcoptic mange was the major cause of the mass death events and may have spread from the western to eastern Qinling Mountains. Based on our findings, we propose several protection strategies to help preserve biodiversity in the Qinling Mountains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoxing Wu
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security, Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, China.,Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Niubeiliang National Nature Reserve of Shaanxi, Xi'an, China
| | - Qiqi Zhang
- Niubeiliang National Nature Reserve of Shaanxi, Xi'an, China
| | - Xuelin Jin
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security, Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, China
| | - Liubin Tang
- Foping National Reserve of Shaanxi, Hanzhong, China
| | - Xueli Zhang
- Qinling Ecology and Environment Protection and Comprehensive Law Enforcement Bureau of Chang'an District, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuqiang Liu
- Forestry Resources Protection Center of Chang'an District, Xi'an, China
| | - Jun'an Li
- Taibai Mountain National Reserve of Shaanxi, Yangling, China
| | - Junfeng Pei
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security, Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, China
| | - Qifeng Zhu
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security, Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, China
| | | | - Qingxia Zhao
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security, Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Forestry Resources Protection Center of Chang'an District, Xi'an, China
| | - Zemin Zhao
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security, Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, China
| | - Yipeng Jin
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security, Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongxuan He
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Sosa FE, Bertoni EA, Micheloud JF, Vallejo DMNM, Olmos LH, Florin-Christensen M, Romero SR. Occurrence of sarcoptic mange in free-ranging vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) of the Andean high plateau region of Argentina. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:1587-1595. [PMID: 35396964 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07506-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Free-ranging vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) are handled in some areas of the Andean high plateau region following an ancestral practice known as chaku, which consists in their transient capture and shearing of their fiber for commercialization. In this study, 807 vicuñas captured during 12 chaku events that took place in 2019 in the province of Jujuy, Argentina, were examined for typical mange skin lesions. Twenty-eight of the examined vicuñas presented alopecia with erythema, exudation, hyperkeratosis, and/or bleeding scarred lesions, mostly in the chest, rear and front legs, and inguinal zone. Most of the cases (82%) appeared in Laguna Cucho at 4900 masl, where 23% of the animals presented these skin reactions. Microscopic evaluation of skin scrapings revealed the presence of a great number of 0.1- to 0.4-mm-long mites of different life cycle stages, morphologically compatible with the species Sarcoptes scabiei. This etiological agent was confirmed by PCR amplification and sequencing of a cox-1 species-specific segment. Histopathological examination of skin biopsies showed extensive infiltration of the dermis with lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils, hyperplasia at different stages, epidermis degeneration, and hyperkeratosis. This is the first characterization of sarcoptic mange in free-ranging vicuñas by clinical examination, mite morphology, histopathological studies, and molecular confirmation in the region. Mange hampers the welfare of vicuñas and the economy of the local communities that organize chaku events since infested vicuñas cannot be sheared. Its long-term effects are unknown but it might affect the fitness and survival of this iconic South American camelid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana E Sosa
- Instituto para la Pequeña Agricultura Familiar NOA, Posta de Hornillos, 4618, Jujuy, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Y Técnicas (CONICET), C1425FQB, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Emiliano A Bertoni
- Área de Sanidad Animal-IIACS Salta, CIAP, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), RN 68 km 172, Cerrillos, Salta, Argentina
| | - Juan F Micheloud
- Área de Sanidad Animal-IIACS Salta, CIAP, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), RN 68 km 172, Cerrillos, Salta, Argentina
| | - Diego M N Medina Vallejo
- Área de Sanidad Animal-IIACS Salta, CIAP, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), RN 68 km 172, Cerrillos, Salta, Argentina
| | - Leandro H Olmos
- Área de Sanidad Animal-IIACS Salta, CIAP, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), RN 68 km 172, Cerrillos, Salta, Argentina
| | - Mónica Florin-Christensen
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Y Técnicas (CONICET), C1425FQB, Buenos Aires, Argentina. .,Instituto de Patobiologia Veterinaria, INTA-CONICET, Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veeterinarias y Agronomicas, INTA, Los Reseros y Nicolas Repetto S/N, 1686, Hurlingham, Argentina.
| | - Sandra R Romero
- Instituto para la Pequeña Agricultura Familiar NOA, Posta de Hornillos, 4618, Jujuy, Argentina
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